My work as a coach is grounded in my career as a researcher of voice, leadership, and wellbeing. Most recently, I focus on faculty wellbeing. In my work as a professor at Penn State University since 2003. I have examined the conditions and contexts in which people can make a difference in the world.
In my work as a professor, I am the founding editor of the International Journal of Student Voice and Co-Editor of The American Journal of Education.
My latest book, The Empowered Professor, demonstrates how a coaching-focused stance toward faculty development can improve equitable conditions within the university and contribute to faculty retention and well-being. For faculty and graduate students, this book emphasizes the skills needed to be a successful academic with a focus on lifespan learning. For universities, this book articulates how institutions can implement an equity-driven plan for faculty development.
I have published over60 papers on the topics of student voice and civic engagement. My books include Civic Education in the Elementary Grades: Promoting Engagement in an Era of Accountability, Student Voice in School Reform: Building Youth-Adult Partnerships that Empower Youth, and a textbook entitled Educational Change and the Political Process. I also have published a memoir entitled French Fries and Banyan Trees: American Kids Explore Bangalore and Beyond.
I hold a Ph. D. from Stanford University in Educational Administration and Policy Analysis. I was named as a Students at the Center “Distinguished Fellow” with Jobs For the Future/the Nellie Mae Foundation in 2016. I served as a Fulbright-Nehru Scholar in 2012 to study child participation and educational reform in Bangalore, India. My prior work experience also includes teaching elementary school in the Washington, DC area and serving as the coordinator for two White House Conferences on Character Education.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Stanford University, Administration and Policy Analysis, School of Education, 2002
-Dissertation: “Makin’ It Real: Involving Youth in School Reform” (Advisor: Dr. Milbrey McLaughlin)
M.A., Stanford University, Sociology, 2000. Focus on organizational theory.
A.B., Brown University, Educational Studies/Public Policy and American Institutions, 1994, Magna Cum Laude
– Honors Thesis: Integrating Social Services and Schools: The Story of Melody (Advisor: Dr. Theodore Sizer)
PEER-REVIEWED BOOKS
Mitra, D. (2022). Educational change and the political process. A textbook of educational policy. Routledge Press. Second edition.
Mitra, D. L. (2021) The Empowered Professor: Breaking the Unspoken Codes of Inequity in Academia. New York: Teachers College Press.
Mitra, D. (2017). Educational change and the political process. A textbook of educational policy. Routledge Press.
Mitra, D. & Serriere, S. (2015). Civic education in the elementary grades: Promoting engagement in an era of accountability. New York: Teachers College Press.
Mitra, D. L. (2008). Student voice in school reform: Building youth-adult partnerships that strengthen schools and empower youth. Albany, NY, State University of New York Press.
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES–view abstracts at Google Scholar.
Mitra, D., Al Saghir, G., Conner, J., Holquist, S. E., & Wright, N. L. Encouraging Teacher Readiness for Designing Student Voice Practices. Teachers College Record, 127(4), 144-173. https://doi.org/10.1177/01614681251355705.
Conner, J., Boat, A., Mitra, D., and Holquist, S. (2025). Measuring Student Voice Practices: The Development and Validation of School and Classroom Scales. AERA Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584251326893
Conner, J., Mitra, D. L., Holquist, S. E., Rosado, E., Wilson, C., & Wright, N. L. (2024). The pedagogical foundations of student voice practices: The role of relationships, differentiation, and choice in supporting student voice practices in high school classrooms. Teaching and Teacher Education, 142, 104540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104540
Holquist, S. E., Mitra, D. L., Conner, J., & Wright, N. L. (2023). What is student voice anyway? The intersection of student voice practices and shared leadership. Educational Administration Quarterly, https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X23117802
McGinnis, E. & Mitra, D.L. (2022) Civic Action and Student Voice Education, Citizenship and Social Justice. June. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17461979221098014.
Wall, K., Cassidy C. Robinson, C., Hall, E., Bheaton, M., Kanyal, M., and Mitra, D. (2019). Look who’s talking: Factors for considering the facilitation of very young children’s voices. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 17, 4, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X19875767
Brezicha, K. F., & Mitra, D. L. (2019). Should We Be Testing Civics? Examining the Implications of the Civic Education Initiative. Peabody Journal of Education, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/0161956X.2019.1553602
Mitra, D. (2018). Student voice in secondary schools: the possibility for deeper change. Journal of Educational Administration, 56(5), 473-487. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-01-2018-0007
Mitra, D. & McCormick, P. (2017). Ethical dilemmas of youth participatory action research in a democratic setting. International Journal of Inclusive Education: Special Issue on Researching Ethically with Children and Young People, 21, 3, 248-258. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2016.1260835
Serrriere, S., Burroughs, M, & Mitra, D. (2017). Kindergartners and philosophical dialogue: Supporting child agency in the classroom. Social Studies and the Young Learner, 29, 4, 8-12.
Mayes, E., Mitra, D., & Serriere, S. (2016). Figured worlds of citizenship: Examining differences made in ‘making a difference’ in an elementary school classroom. American Educational Research Journal, 53, 3, 605-638. DOI: 10.3102/0002831216648378
Mitra, D., Mann, B., & Hlavacik, M. (2016). Opting out: Parents creating contested spaces to challenge standardized tests. Education Policy Analysis Archives. March. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.24.2142
Mitra, D., Bergmark, U. Brezicha, K., Kostenius, C., Maithreyi, R., & Serriere, S. (2016). Ironies of democracy: purposes of education and the construction of citizens in Sweden, India, and the United States. Citizenship Teaching and Learning, 11, 2., 191-210. DOI: 10.1386/ctl.11.2.191_1
Biddle, C. & Mitra, D. (2015). Implementing middle school youth-adult partnerships: A study of two programs focused on social change. Middle Grades Review, 1, 2, Article 6. http://scholarworks.uvm.edu/mgreview/vol1/iss2/6
Brezicha, K., Bergmark, U. & Mitra, D. (2015). One Size Does Not Fit All: Differentiating Leadership to Intentionally Support Teachers in School Reform. Education Administration Quarterly, 51, 1, 96-132. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X14521632
Kawai, R., Serriere, S., & Mitra, D. (2014). Contested Spaces of a “Failing” Elementary School. Theory and Research in Social Education, 42, 4, 486-515. https://doi.org/10.1080/00933104.2014.966876
Mitra, D., Serriere, S., & Kirshner, B. (2014). Youth participation in U.S. contexts: Student voice without a national mandate. Children & Society, 28, 4, 292-304. https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12005
Mitra, D., Lewis, T., & Sanders, F. (2013). Architects, Captains, and Dreamers: Creating Advisor Roles that Foster Youth-Adult Partnerships. Journal of Educational Change, 14, 2, 177-201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-012-9201-6
Mitra, D. L. (2012). Increasing student voice in school reform: Building partnerships, improving outcomes. In Kelly, B. and Perkins, D. (Eds), Handbook of Implementation Science for Psychology in Education (pp. 361-372). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Serriere, S., McGarry, L., Fuentes, D., & Mitra, D. (2012). A new year a new take on celebrations. Social Studies and the Learner, 9, 4, 6-10.
Mitra, D. L. & Halabi, S. (2012). Paradoxes in policy practice: Signaling post-secondary pathways in the Rust Belt. Teachers College Record, 114, 1, 1-34.
Mitra, D., & Serriere, S. (2012). Student voice in elementary-school reform: Examining youth development in fifth graders. American Educational Research Journal, 49, 743-774, doi:10.3102/0002831212443079
Mitra, D., Serriere, S, & Stoicovy, D. (2012). The role of leaders in enabling student voice. Management in Education, 26, 3, 104-112.
Serriere, S., & Mitra, D. (2012). Critical issues and contexts of student voice in the United States. In The Routledge international handbook of teacher and school development (pp. 223-232). Routledge.
Serriere, S. C., Mitra, D. L., & Reed, K. (2011). Student voice in the elementary years: Fostering youth-adult partnerships in elementary service-learning. Theory and Research in Social Education, 39, 4, 541-575.
Mitra, D. L. & Frick, W.F. (2011). Civic capacity in educational reform efforts: Finding agency in a time of globalization. Educational Policy, 25, 5, 810-843.
Serriere, S. C., Mitra, D. L. & Cody, J. (2010). Youth citizens taking action: Better school lunches, and more. Social Studies and the Learner, November.
Mitra, D., Sanders, F., and Perkins, D. (2010). Providing spark and stability: The role of intermediary organizations in establishing school-based youth-adult partnerships. Applied Developmental Science, (14), 12, 1-18.
Mitra, D. L. & Gross, S. J. (2009). Increasing student voice in high school reform: Building partnerships, improving outcomes. Educational Management, Administration, and Leadership, 37, 4, 452-473.
Mitra, D. L. (2009). Collaborating with students: Building youth-adult partnerships in schools. American Journal of Education, 15, 3, 407-436.
Mitra, D. L. (2009). Student voice and student roles in education policy and policy reform. In D. N. Plank, G. Sykes & B. Schneider (Eds.), AERA Handbook on Education Policy Research (pp. 819-830). London: Routledge.
Mitra, D. L. (2009). Strengthening student voice initiatives in high schools: An examination of the supports needed for school-based youth-adult partnerships. Youth and Society 40, 3, 311-335.
Mitra, D. L. (2009). The role of intermediary organizations in sustaining student voice initiatives. Teachers College Record 111, 7, 1834-1868.
Syvertsen, A.K., Stout, M.D., Flanagan, C.A with Mitra, D. L., Oliver, M.B., Sundar, S. S. (2009). Using elections as teachable moments: A randomized evaluation of the Student Voices civic education program. American Journal of Education, 116, 1, 33-66.
Mitra, D. L., Frick, W. C., & Movit, Marcela A. (2008). Brain drain in the Rust Belt: Can educational reform help to build civic capacity in struggling communities? Educational Policy, 22, 731-757.
Mitra, D. L. (2008). Balancing power in communities of practice: An examination of increasing student voice through school-based youth-adult partnerships. Journal of Educational Change, 9, 3, 221-324.
Sanders, F., Movit, M., Mitra, D., & Perkins, D. F. (2007). Examining ways in which youth conferences can spell out gains in positive youth development. LEARNing Landscapes, 1, 1, 49-78.
Mitra, D. L. (2007). The role of administrators in enabling youth-adult partnerships in schools. NASSP Bulletin, 91, 3, 237-256.
Mitra, D. L. (2007). Student voice in school reform: From listening to leadership. In D. Thiessen & A. Cook-Sather (Eds.), International Handbook of Student Experience in Elementary and Secondary School. (pp. 727-744). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.
Mitra, D. L. (2006). Student voice or empowerment? Examining the role of school-based youth-adult partnerships as an avenue toward focusing on social justice. International Electronic Journal for Leadership in Learning, 10, 22.
Mitra, D. L. (2006). Youth as a bridge between home and school: Comparing student voice and parent involvements as strategies for change. Education and Urban Society, 38(4), 455-480.
Mitra, D. L. (2006). Educational change on the inside and outside: The positioning of challengers. International Journal of Leadership Education, 9, 4, 315-328.
Mitra, D. L. (2005). Adults advising youth: Leading while getting out of the way. Educational Administration Quarterly, 41, 3, 520-553.
Mitra, D. L. (2004). The significance of students: Can increasing “student voice” in schools lead to gains in youth development. Teachers College Record, 106, 4, 651–688.
Mitra, D. L. (2003). Student voice in school reform: Reframing student-teacher relationships. McGill Journal of Education, 38, 2, 289–304.
McLaughlin, M., & D. L. Mitra. (2001). Theory-based change and change-based theory: Going deeper, going broader. Journal of Educational Change, 3, 1, 301–323.
INVITED ARTICLES, BOOK CHAPTERS, AND REPORTS
Conner, J., Chen, J., Mitra, D, Holquist, S. (2024). “Student voice and choice in the classroom: Promoting Academic Engagement” in Instructional Strategies for Active Learning. Intech Open. https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/student-voice-and-choice-in-the-classroom-promoting-academic-engagement
Mitra, D. L., (2024). ABCs of Faculty Wellbeing. The Emerald Handbook of Wellbeing in Higher Education. Emerald Press.
Mitra, D., Connor, J., & Holquist, S. (2021). Contexts that enable and constrain student voice(s) in schools. Encylopaedia of Teacher Education, Student Voice(s) and Partnership in Practice Section. Springer. https://link.springer.com/referencework/10.1007/978-981-13-1179-6
Biddle, C. & Mitra, D. (2020). Community activism and advocacy. In Urick, A., DeMatthews, D., and Ford, T. (Eds.) Maximizing the Policy-Relevance of Research for School Improvement. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
Mitra, D. (2020). Secrets to a more successful partnership between students and teachers. In J.S. Brooks & A. Heffernan, A. (Eds.), The school leadership survival guide: What to do when things go wrong, how to learn from mistakes, and why you should prepare for the worst. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
Mitra, D. & Dagistan, S. (2018). Evaluation of Oregon Student Voice. University Park: Penn State.
LeTendre, G., McGinnis, E., Mitra, D., Montgomery, R. and Pendola, A. (2018). American Journal of Education: retos y oportunidades en las ciencias translacionales y la zona gris de la publicación académica|The American Journal of Education: challenges and opportunities in translational science and the grey area of academic.
Mitra, D. (2018). The Six Secrets to More Successful Partnership Between Students and Teachers. Students at the Center, Jobs for the Future: Boston. https://studentsatthecenterhub.org/resource/six-secrets-to-more-successful-partnership-between-students-and-teachers/
Mitra, D. & Pendola, A. (2017). Exploring student-centered learning in the ESSA State Plans. Jobs for the Future, Students at the Center Hub, Boston. https://studentsatthecenterhub.org/blog/exploring-student-centered-learning-in-the-essa-state-plans/
Mitra, D. (2017). Building jobs in the rust belt: the role of education. The Conversation, April 11. https://theconversation.com/building-jobs-in-the-rust-belt-the-role-of-education-72833
Mitra, D. (2015). The intersection of student voice and policy research. In Conner, J. and Rosin, R. (Eds.) Student voice in American educational policy: A national society for the study of education yearbook. NY: Teachers College Press.
Mitra, D. (2015) Forward in Brasof, M., Student voice and school governance: Distributing leadership to youth and adults. NY: Routledge.
Kawai, R., Serriere, S, & Mitra, D. (2014). Fostering civic efficacy and action through fifth graders’ civic ‘zines. In A. Libresco (Ed.), Exemplary Elementary Social Studies: Case Studies in Practice (pp. 35-58). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
Cook-Sather, A and Mitra, D. (2013). Linking across the links: Student voice works-in-progress. Connect: supporting student participation, 202, August, 11-16. ISSN 2202-4980
Mitra, D. L. (2012). Increasing student voice in school reform: Building partnerships, improving outcomes. In Kelly, B. and Perkins, D. (Eds), Handbook of Implementation Science for Psychology in Education (pp. 361-372). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Mitra, D.L. & Kirshner, B. (2012). Insiders versus outsiders—Examining variability in student voice initiatives and their consequences for school change. In B. McMahon & J. Portelli (Ed.), Student engagement in urban schools: Beyond neoliberal discourses (pp. 49-72). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing
Mitra, D.L., Frick W. C., & Crawford, E. (2011). The ethical dimensions of student voice activities in the United States. In G. Czerniawski & W. Kidd (Eds.) The Student Voice Handbook: Bridging the Academic/Practitioner Divide (pp. 369- 380). London: Emerald.
Eckert, S & Mitra, D.L. (2011). Policy. Oxford Biographies Online. New York: Oxford Press, http://aboutobo.com/education.
Mitra, D.L. (2011). Student participation. Oxford Biographies Online. New York: Oxford Press, http://aboutobo.com/education.
Mitra, D. L. (2009). Amplifying student voice. In M. Scherer (Ed.), Engaging the whole child: Reflections on best practices in learning, teaching, and leadership. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Mitra, D. L. (2008). Student voice or empowerment? Examining the role of school-based youth-adult partnerships as an avenue toward focusing on social justice. In A. Normore (Ed.), Leadership for social justice: Promoting equity and excellence through inquiring and reflective practice (pp. 193-212). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
Mitra, D. L. (2008). Amplifying student voice. Educational Leadership, 66, 3, 20-25.
Mitra, D. L. (2005). Increasing student voice and moving toward youth leadership. The Prevention Researcher, 13, 1, 7–10.
McLaughlin, M. & D. L. Mitra. (2003). The cycle of inquiry as the engine of school reform: Lessons from the Bay Area School Reform Collaborative. Stanford, CA: Center for Research on the Context of Teaching.
Mitra, D. L. (2001) Opening the floodgates: Giving students a voice in school reform. Forum. United Kingdom. September. Http://10.2304/forum.2001.43.2.14
Stites, R. & D. L. Mitra. (2001). Palo Alto Unified school district team. In Penuel, W. R., & Korbak, C. (Eds.). Silicon Valley Challenge 2000 Longitudinal Case Studies Final Report. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International.
REFEREED AND INVITED KEYNOTES, CONFERENCE PAPERS, AND SEMINARS
Mitra, D. L., Al Saghir, G. (2024). Peer-reviewed paper. Relationships as Readiness for Racially Traumatized Youth. Refereed paper. Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Philadelphia, April.
Mitra, D.L . (2024) Invited seminar. Student voice measures and outcomes. Researchers Roundtable. Knowledge Works and Aurora Institute. January
Mitra, D. (2024). Peer-reviewed paper. The ABCS of Faculty Well Being. International Mentoring Association Annual Conference. Charlotte, NC. February.
Mitra, D. (2023). Invited panelist. Research into Practice: Student Voice and Agency. Community of Practice for the Networks for School Improvement (NSI) at the Gates Foundation. Chicago. October.
Mitra, D. L., Conner, J., Holquist, Al-Saghir, G., Wright, N. (2023). Peer-reviewed paper. Student voice readiness: Building organizational mindsets, skillsets, and heartsets. Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, April.
Conner, J., Mitra, D. L., Holquist, S. Syvertsen, A. (2023). Peer-reviewed paper. The pedagogical foundations of Student Voice: What do teachers who support student voice actually do? Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, April.
Holquist, S, Syvertsen, A. Mitra, D. L., Conner, J. (2023). Peer-reviewed paper. Student voice in school improvement: Understanding how student voice practices foster equitable learning environments. Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, April.
Mitra, D. (2022). Invited lecture. Student Voice, Participation and Engagement in Practice-based Educational Research, Lulea Tekniska Universitet. Virtual-Lulea, Sweden, May.
Biddle, C. & Mitra, D. L., (2022). Peer-reviewed paper. Community activism and advocacy, Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, April.
Mitra, D. L., Holquist, S. Cohron, N, Conner, J., Rosado, E. (2022). Peer-reviewed paper. Measuring the Power of Student Voice to Create Equitable and Democratic Learning Environments, Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, April.
Mitra, D. L., Holquist, S. Cohron, N, Conner, J., Rosado, E. (2021). Peer-reviewed paper. Measuring Student Voice. Society for Research on Adolescence. New Orleans, March.
Mitra, D. (2020). Coaching To Enhance Leader Preparation and Practice. Paper prepared for the Annual Meeting of the University Council of Education Administration. Online (Puerto Rico), November.
Mitra, D. (2020). Students as Leader in Global Change: Broadening the Impact of All Voices. Invited Keynote. Children and Student Voices Across Sectors, Australian Association for Research in Education. Online (Melbourne, Australia), December.
Mitra, D. (2020). Student Voice in the Elementary Years. Invited session. International Conference on Student Voice. Online (Minneapolis), July.
Mitra, D. (2020). Pedagogies of With-ness. Invited panelist. Online, (Wellington, New Zealand), November.
Mitra, D (2020). Insider and Outsider Educational Change. Invited session. Consortium for Social Movements. Penn State University.
Mitra, D. (2019). A History of Student Voice. Invited Presenter. International Conference on Student Voice, Philadelphia, May.
Mitra, D. (2019). Youth Impact on State Level Policy Making. Presenter. Annual Meeting of the University Council of Education Administration. New Orleans: November.
Mitra, D. (2019). Growing Student Voice in U.S. Policy Making Processes. Presenter. Australian Association for Research in Education Annual Meeting. Brisbane, Australia, December
Mitra, D. (2019). Why student voice matters: Impact on classrooms, schools and policy. Invited Keynote. Student Voice, Agency and Partnerships Conference. Melbourne, Australia, December.
Mitra, D. (2019) Civic Learning Impact and Measurement Convening. Invited Participant. Facebook Headquarters, Menlo Park, CA. January.
Hippolito-Delgado, C.; Lopez, S.; Mitra, D.; Terrell, J. & Zion, S. (2018). Student-centred learning is political: The role of youth activism, voice, and civic readiness in learner-centered education. Invited co-presenter. Student-Centered Learning Research Collaborative Convening. Jobs for The Future, Providence, RI, MA, October.
Mitra, D. (2018) A Scholar’s Journey from Life at Brown to Research on Youth Engagement in Educational Change. Invited Lecture. Brown University, Providence, RI. October.
Mitra, D. (2018). Civic Inquiry Driven by Students. Invited lecture at the University of Padova Italy, June.
Mitra, D. (2018). New Frameworks for the Field of Student Voice. Invited lecture at the International Conference on Student Voice, Burlington, Vermont, July.
LeTendre, G. & Mitra, D. (2018). Translational Science and the Grey Area of Academic Publishing. Paper prepared for the revista española de pedagogía conference. Madrid, Spain, 2018.
Wall, K, Cassidy, C., Arnott, L. Beaton, M., Blaisdell, C., Hall, E., McKernan, G., Mitra, D., Pramling, I., Robinson, C. (2018). Look who’s talking: Factors for considering the facilitation of very young children’s voices. Paper prepared for the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. New York, April.
Holquist, S. & Mitra, D. (2018). From students to democratic citizens: Embedding student voice in education decision making. Paper prepared for the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. New York, April.
Mitra, D. (2017) Invited Lecture. Student voice: Pathways to partnership, civic engagement and youth development. Look Who’s Talking Seminar. Strathclyde University, Glasgow, Scotland, June.
Mitra, D. (2017). Student Voice in Secondary Schools: The Possibility for Deeper Change. Invited lecture. The Urban Secondary Schools Conference: “Improving urban secondary schools: What works? What more do we need to know?”, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, May.
Mitra, D. (2016). Invited keynote. Promoting Purpose and Engagement Through Civic Education and Student Voice. Invited Keynote. Learning and the Brain Conference. Boston, MA, November.
Mitra, D. (2016). Invited Keynote. Vermont’s Statewide shift to Personalized and Competency-based Learning. Jobs for The Future. Boston, MA, November.
Mitra, D. (2016). Invited keynote international. Exploring key hallmarks in the field of student voice. International Seminar on Amplifying Student Voice and Partnership. Burlington, Vermont, July.
Mitra, D., (2016). Invited keynote. Student Voice in School Reform: Building Youth-Adult Partnerships that Strengthen Schools and Empower Youth. Youth Media and Digital Citizenship symposium, August.
Mitra, D. L. McCormick, P. (2016). Co-presenter. Ethical Dilemmas of Youth Participatory Action Research in a Democratic School, Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Washington, DC, April.
Mitra, D., McCormick, P, & Litzinger, K. (2015). Co-Presenter. Youth participatory action research in a democratic school. Paper presented at the Learner Voice Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
Mitra, D. (2015). Invited participant. Student Voice Seminar. Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, June.
Mitra, D, & Serriere, S., (2015). Co-presenter. Civic Engagement in the Elementary Grades in an Era of Accountability. Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, April.
Biddle, C. & Mitra, D. (2014). Co-presenter. Deep, Sustainable Partnerships: The Case of a Multi-School Youth-Adult Partnership Network.. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Philadelphia, April.
Mitra, D. (2014). Invited seminar participant. Student Voice: Accomplishments, Dilemmas, and Aspirations. Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, July.
Mitra, D. (2013). Invited seminar participant. Professional Education and Democracy. Kettering Foundation. Dayton, OH. May.
Mitra, D. (2013). Invited lecture. Opting out of state assessments. Politics of Education Association at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. San Francisco, CA, May.
Mitra, D. (2012). Invited lecture. Child Participation and Student Voice, Lulea Tekniska Universitet. Lulea, Sweden.
Mitra, D. (2012). Invited seminar participant. Links across the Lines Student Voice Seminar. Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, July.
Mitra, D. (2012). Invited lecture. Child participation in the United States and India. National Institute for Advanced Studies. Bangalore, India.
Mitra, D. (2012). Invited lecture How Does Child Consultation Occur in Karnataka? Fulbright Conference. Kochi, India.
Mitra, D. (2011). Invited seminar participant. Student Voice Initiatives Past, Present, and Future. Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, July.
Mitra, D. (2011). Keynote address. Ethical Dimensions of Student Voice and Implications for Leadership. Moral Literacy Symposium, University Park, PA. April.
Mitra, D. & Stoicovy, D. (2010). Co-Presenter. The role of leaders in enabling civic engagement in schools. Annual International Values and Leadership Conference, Umea, Sweden, October.
Mitra, D., Sanders, F., Lewis, T. (2010). Presenter. Adult roles in youth-adult partnerships: Taking tenuous steps toward democratic practice. Paper presented at the Society of Research on Adolescence, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, March.
Mitra, D. L. (2009). Invited presentation. Student voice in the United States. Youth citizenship and the politics of belonging: Young people’s views of educational politics, policies and practices. University of Oxford. September, 2009.
Mitra, D. L. (2009). Increasing student voice in high school reform: Building partnerships, improving outcomes. Invited presentation. High Schools That Work Staff Development Conference, Atlanta, GA. July, 2009
Mitra, D. (2009). Presenter. Pathways beyond high school in a globalized economy: A view from the Rustbelt. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, CA, April.
Mitra, D., Sanders, F., & Perkins, D. F. (2008). Co-Presenter. Shifting responsibilities: The role of community-based organizations in educating youth about civic engagement and democracy. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New York, NY.
Mitra, D., Sanders, F., Movit, M., & Perkins, D. F. (2007). Co-Presenter. Examining ways in which youth conferences can spell out gains in positive youth development. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.
Mitra, D. L., Perkins, D. F., & Sanders, F. (2006). Presenter. The inclusion of students in the definition of socially responsible leadership: An examination of the goals of school-based youth-adult partnerships. Paper presented at the 11th Annual International Values and Leadership Conference, Victoria, British Columbia, September.
Mitra, D. L. (2006). Presenter. Sustaining student voice initiatives—What really matters? Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, California, April.
Mitra, D. L., W. C. Frick, & M. A. K. Movit. (2005). Co-presenter. Brain drain in the rust belt: Can communities reinvent themselves in the globalized economy? Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Montreal, Canada, April.
Mitra, D.L. with W.C. Frick. (2004) Presenter. A typology of student voice in school reform: From listening to leadership. Feature paper presented at the ‘Student Voice’ Online Conference, hosted by the International Networking for Educational Transformation (INET) England. www.sst-inet.net, September.
Mitra, D. L. (2003). Presenter. Adult advisors: Leading while getting out of the way. Paper presented at the International Conference on Civic Education, New Orleans, Louisiana, November.
Mitra, D. L. & M. McLaughlin. (2000). Co-presenter. Sustaining theory-based change: What’s needed? Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. New Orleans, Louisiana, April.
RECENT WORKSHOPS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Mitra, D. L. (2024). Invited seminar. From Agency to Student Voice Cranford School District (Online), New Jersey. April.
Mitra, D. L. (2024). Invited lecture. Women in Leadership: Finding Purpose in Academia. Indiana University. March.
Mitra, D. L. (2024). Invited lecture. Leadership: Breaking the Unspoken Code of Academia. Indiana University. March.
Mitra, D. L., (2024). Invited seminar. Using Participatory Action Research to Create Transformational Youth Interventions. Innovation Hub Seminar, Penn State University. February.
Mitra, D. (2023). Invited workshop. Deepening “Student Voice”: Students as partners in learning and change. Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center Summit (Online). The Ohio State University. September.
Mitra, D. L. (2022). Invited panelist. Centering Race in College Mentorship: Strategies to Support Students in Racist, Hostile Academic Environments. Graduate Student Council Session, Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, April.
Mitra, D. (2021). Invited seminar. Student Voice as a Child Right. Qatar Model United Nations Association Annual Meeting. Doha, Qatar (online), November.
Mitra, D. (2021). Invited seminar. Student Voice Practices for Elementary Ages. Iowa BEST Conference; Iowa Department of Education and University of Iowa (Online). November.
Mitra, D. L. (2021). Peer-reviewed paper. “Centering Student and Teacher Voice in the Equity Agenda,” Institute for Learning Annual meeting, University of Pittsburgh Institute for Learning. Virtual- Pittsburgh, June.
Mitra, D. (2021). Invited lecture. Student Voice for Middle School Settings. Chicago Public Schools/RMS Design Lab Accelerator. Youth-Nex, The UVA Center to Promote Effective Youth Development, University of Virginia School of Education & Human Development, Online (Chicago/Charlottesville VA), August.
Mitra, D. (2021). Invited lecture. Centering Student and Teacher Voice in the Equity Agenda, University of Pittsburgh Institute for Learning. Online (Pittsburgh), June.
Mitra, D. L., Holquist, S., & Conner, J. Invited Seminars. (2021) “Student Voice Seminars,” Gates Foundation Accelerator Training, Gates Foundation, Nationwide, January, February.
Mitra, D. (2021). Invited lecture. Student Voice as a Pathway to Equity. Wisconsin State Reading Association. Online (Milwaukee), January.
Mitra, D. (2021). Invited lecture. Activism and Partnership in Student Voice. Leadership ISD, Online (Dallas Texas), January
Mitra, D. (2021). Invited lecture. Tapping into Your Super Power—Finding Your Purpose in Changing Times. Leadership Centre County, State College, January.
Mitra, D. (2020). Invited three-day workshop. Embracing Our Inner Critics: A Pathway to Inner Peace. Pendle Hill Retreat Center. Philadelphia, February.
Mitra, D. (2019). Invited lecture. The Unspoken Rules of Publishing in Academia. University of Vermont. October.
Mitra, D. (2020). Invited three-day workshop. Strengthening your Inner Wisdom and Silencing Your Inner Critic. Pendle Hill Retreat Center. Philadelphia, February.
Mitra, D. (2018). Invited lecture. Student Voice Webinar. Pennsylvania School Boards Association. April
Mitra, D. (2018). Invited lecture. Writing Productivity in Academia. Michigan State. September.
Mitra, D (2018). Invited lecture. Getting it Done and Doing it Well. University of Michigan. September.
Mitra, D. (2019) Invited Participant. Civic Learning Impact and Measurement Convening. Facebook Headquarters, Menlo Park, CA. January.
Mitra, D. (2018) Invited lecture. A Scholar’s Journey from Life at Brown to Research on Youth Engagement in Educational Change. Brown University, Providence, RI. October.
Mitra, D. (2015). Invited seminar participant. Student Voice Seminar. Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, June.
Mitra, D. (2014). Invited seminar participant. Student Voice: Accomplishments, Dilemmas, and Aspirations. Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, July.
Mitra, D. (2013). Invited seminar participant. Professional Education and Democracy. Kettering Foundation. Dayton, OH. May.
HONORS, AWARDS, AND INTERNATIONAL STUDY
Graduate Program in Education at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (PPGE/UFES), Visiting Professor, Fall 2024
Jobs for the Future/Nellie Mae Foundation, Students at the Center Program, Distinguished Fellow, 2016-2018
White House Summit on Beating the Odds—Successful Strategies from Schools and Youth Agencies. Invited participant. Washington, DC. March 2016
Schreyer Honors College, Distinguished Honors Faculty, 2013-2015; 2014-2016
National Institute for Advanced Study, Fulbright-Nehru Scholar, Bangalore, India, 2012
Penn State Multicultural Resource Center, University Faculty Diversity Recognition Award, 2009
SPONSORED RESEARCH AND FUNDING
2021 “Elevating Student Voice as an Equity Promotion and Improvement Strategy.” Dana Mitra, Jerusha Conner, Samantha Holquist. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. ($884,077). 2021-2023.
2019 From health to sustainable environments: Connecting wellbeing, sustainability and citizenship: exploring ecologies of influence in young people.” Monash University, Melbourne Australia /Penn State Collaboration. ($50,000). 2019-2022.
2016 Students at the Center Distinguished Fellow, Jobs for the Future/Nellie Mae Foundation. ($20,000). 2016-2018.
2016 “Talking about politics: Measuring the quality of youth deliberations.” Dana Mitra, Debra Hawhee, Eric Plutzer. The Pennsylvania State University, Children, Social Studies Research Institute ($20,000) 2016- 2018.
2012 “What Is the Value of Democracy in Schools? A Comparison of Civic Skills’ Expectations.” Ulrika Bergmark, Catrine Kostenius, Dana Mitra, and Stephanie Serriere. Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT). ($220,300). 2012-2013.
2010 “Developing a survey to measure positive youth development and civic outcomes for ages 8-11 in democratic schools.” Dana Mitra, Stephanie Serriere, and Hoi Suen. The Pennsylvania State University, Children, Youth and Families Consortium ($16,500) 2010- 2012.
2009 “Youth Mentoring in Philadelphia.” Christy Bartley, Dana Mitra, and Nicole Webster. U.S. Department of Education ($95,000). 2009- 2010.
2006 “Examining the effectiveness of Second Mile’s “Youth Leadership Initiative” as a school-based youth-adult partnership strategy.” Dana Mitra and Daniel F. Perkins. The Pennsylvania State University, Children, Youth and Families Consortium ($20,000) 2006-2007.
2006 “Examining the effectiveness of the “Youth Leadership Initiative” as a strategy for building strong school-based youth-adult partnerships.” Dana Mitra. The Pennsylvania State University, College of Education ($9,000) 2006-2007.
2006 “Youth brain drain and economic preparedness in Pennsylvania communities.” Dana Mitra, Diane McLaughlin, Kai Schafft, Tasha Snyder. The Pennsylvania State University, Children, Youth and Families Consortium. ($5,000) 2006-2007.
2005 “Reinventing Communities: Connections between School Reform and Community Development in a Globalized Economy.” Dana Mitra. American Educational Research Association-Institute of Education Sciences Research- Grants Program ($15,000) 2005-2006
2004 “Randomized field design of implementation of Student Voices in Pennsylvania schools.” onnie Flanagan, Dana Mitra, Mary Beth Oliver, and Shyam Sundar. Annenberg Public Policy Center ($50,000). 2004- 2005.
2003 “Enabling Student Voice in Schools: Finding Leverage for Change.” Dana Mitra, The Pennsylvania State University, College of Education ($9,000) 2003- 2004.
CHAIRED DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS
Wright, N., Ph.D. “ Exploring the Potential of Teacher Policy Engagement Through the Experiences of Teachers of the Year.” (2022).
McGinness, E., Ph.D, “Old Dogs And Young Puppies: The Disruptive Effects Of Equity-Oriented Policy Change On Learning Communities.” (2020).
Oakar, M., Ph.D, “Transitional Experiences of Military Service Members/Veterans Who Become Online Students.” (2018).
Jang, H., Ph.D. “Non-Cognitive Skills and Achievement: A Cross-National Analysis of the Association Between Academic Perseverance and Achievement.”(2017). Co-chaired with Gerald LeTendre.
Hall, D., Ph.D. “Local Control as Resistance: Policy and Practice of Autonomous School Boards.” (2016). Co-Chaired with Kai Schafft.
Anderson, E., Ph.D, “Twitter and Education for Women’s Empowerment in the Post-2015 Agenda.” (2016). Co-chair with David Baker.
Brezicha, K., Ph.D, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee: Examining the Relationship between Immigrant Students’ Feelings of Belonging and Political Socialization in America and Canada.” (2015).
Milhomme, M., Ph.D, “Mothers’ Perception and Practice in their Childs’ Out of School [Summer] Time: A Socioeconomic Perspective.” (2014).
Biddle, C., Ph.D, “Communities Discovering What They Care About: Youth and Adults Leading School Reform Together.” (2014). Co-chaired with Kai Schafft.
Weimer, A., Ph.D, “Elementary Physical Education: Quality and Sustainability in Pennsylvania.” (2013).
Eckert, S., Ph.D. “Preparation, Teacher Efficacy and Retention How Novice Teachers Negotiate Urban Schools.” (2011).
Crawford, E., Ph.D, “In Whose Best Interest? How Educators Make Sense Of And Respond To Immigration Enforcement Near School Property.” (2012).
Sanders, F., Ph.D, “A curricular policy forty years in the making: the implementation of an African American history course in the Philadelphia school district.” (2009).
Boggess, L., Ph.D, “Home growing teacher quality: district partnerships with urban teacher residencies.” (2008).
Butler, T., Ph.D, “Rural schools and communities: How globalization influences rural school and community collaboration.” (2008). Co-chaired with Kai Schafft.
Jenkins, T., Ph.D, “In full color: understanding the meaning and importance of culture to college students of color through cultural self-portraiture.” (2007).
Movit, M., Ph.D, “Equal educational opportunity for language minority students from diverse backgrounds: An assessment.” (2007).
Frick, W., Ph.D, “An empirical investigation of secondary principals’ perspectives on “the best interests of the student” as a viable professional ethic for educational leadership.” (2005). Co-chaired with Jacqueline Stefkovich.
LEADERSHIP AT PENN STATE
Education and Public Policy Undergraduate Program, Professor in Charge, 2021-2024; 2008-2015. Head of department’s undergraduate programming. Designed major in 2008 to reach non-teaching candidates interested in social change processes. Oversaw advising and academic support for all undergraduate students in our department. Developed a three-points of contact advising system to ensure all students are known and supported in the major. Created and implemented marketing plan to expand enrollment of major. Revised and refined curriculum. Identified new courses and partnered with faculty to create and implement them. Developed programming for professional development and support for students. Supervised graduate assistants Advised undergraduate student association. Ensured completion of student’s degree requirements. Developed alumni database to create mentoring network. Member of department leadership team.
College of Education Promotion and Tenure Committee, Chair, 2020-2021 (Member 2018-2020). Facilitated the discernment of promotion and tenure cases for the college. Assigned cases for presentation to committee members. Moderated deliberations and integrity of process with strong adherence to university regulations. Prioritized equitable and careful consideration of candidate dossiers. Revised and clarified all letters prepared for the process. Communicated questions to department and dean levels.
Education Theory and Policy Program, Professor in Charge, 2018-2020. Director of Masters and Doctoral programs. Redesigned of Master’s Degree; benchmarked our programs with near-peer institutions. Identified and supported faculty creation of undergraduate general-education courses to increase student enrollment. Oversaw faculty support of students, administration of qualifying exams, course scheduling, and integration of program needs with department-wide processes. Established shared goals and integrated assignments across courses and school-based field experiences. Supervised recruitment strategies and equity-minded holistic evaluation of admissions. Revised degree handbooks Advised graduate student association. Chaired regular program faculty meetings and established program policy. Member of department leadership team.
College of Education, Ombudsperson, 2019-2020, Alternate 2021. Served as the confidential point of contact for mediation and conflict resolution for the college. Offered a confidential space for students and faculty to share concerns in alignment with university policies and procedures.
Education Policy Studies Department, Director of Graduate Studies, 2014-2017. Coordinator of curriculum design and submission for the department. Collaborate with faculty to design effective and engaging courses. Chaired the creation of new programs and revision of current ones. Member of the college Curriculum Planning process.
Willower Center of the UCEA Center on Values and Leadership, Director, 2011-2016. Designed and hosted international conferences on ethics and leadership. Developed partnerships with colleagues and universities in the U.S., Australia, Hong Kong, and Canada. Selected and supervised student scholars. Developed collaborations with other Penn State Centers to create and host events.
College of Education Faculty Council, Chair 2013-2014 (Member, 2010-2013). Led the governance of the college’s primary faculty-led decisionmaking body. Facilitated concerns from faculty, identified issues for special consideration, moderated discussions between dean and council members, oversaw committee work including curriculum, awards, faculty and student concerns, and assistantship and funding awards. Created an initiative to communicate syllabus expectations to all faculty, both to provide sufficient mental health resources for student and to assure syllabi are in compliance with academic integrity regulations.
SELECTED SERVICE TO THE PROFESSION
International Journal of Student Voice, Founder and Editor, 2015-present. Created an online, open-access, peer-reviewed journal for academics and practitioners. Established advisory board. Created workflow processes and managed the review of submissions by editorial team. Select manuscripts for peer-review and identify reviewers. Marketed journal content and solicit submissions, with special emphasis on students engaged in change processes.
American Journal of Education, Editor, 2013-present; Senior Associate Editor, 2010-2013; Contributing Editor and Reviewer, 2003-2010. Responsible for overseeing the publishing of one of the oldest and highly regarded U.S. education journals. Select manuscripts for peer-review and identify reviewers. Create workflow processes and manage the review of submissions. Manage production staff including co-editors, managing editors, and editorial board. Developed a student-run website, AJE Forum, to market AJE content and to provide a professional development program for graduate students nationwide. Design and host in-person and virtual professional development and listening sessions for editorial board and AJE Forum staff.
National Education Policy Center, Policy Fellow and Editorial Board, 2021-present
University of Warwick, External Viva Examiner, 2023-present.
American Educational Research Journal, Associate Editor, 2020-2022
International Conference on Student Voice, Chair and Co-Founder, 2018-2020, Planning Committee, 2014-2022
Friends Action Committee on Anti-Racism, Member, 2020-2021
William L. Boyd National Educational Politics Workshop, Director, 2011, 2012, 2015-2018
American Progress Institute, External Reader, 2018
University of Nebraska, External Reviewer, Grant Proposal to USDA-AFRI Foundational and Applied Sciences Program: Rural Economic Development, 2018
Clark Seminar of University Council of Education Association, Mentor, 2019
OISE, University of Toronto, External Examiner, 2017, 2022
UCEA Center on Ethics and Leadership, Board Member, 2012-2016
Dissertation Award Committee of the American Educational Research Association Division L, Chair, 2015-2016
Planning committee for proposed SIG on Student voice, Partnerships and Participation of the American Educational Research Association, Chair, 2013-2015
Planning committee of the Elementary ad Secondar Education Act 50 Year Anniversary Events at the Convention of the University Council of Educational Administration and the Politics of Education Association, Member, 2013-2014
Research and Conceptualization of Student Voice International Planning Committee, Chair, 2013-2015
Dissertation Award Committee of American Educational Research Association Division L, Member, 2013-2015
Early Career Award Committee of American Educational Research Association Division L, Member, 2011-2012
Politics of Education Association, Executive Committee Member, 2008-2009
American Educational Research Association, Adolescence and Youth Development SIG, Communications Director, 2006-7
Reviewer, Alberta Journal of Educational Research, American Educational Research Journal, Children, Youth and Environments, Curriculum Inquiry, Educational Administration Quarterly, Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, Educational Policy, Education Policy Analysis Archives, Educational Researcher, International Journal for Leadership Education, International Journal of Educational Leadership, Journal of Educational Administration, Journal of Research on Adolescence, Sociological Studies of Children and Youth
Reviewer, Annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, University Council of Educational Administrator’s Annual Convention
COURSES DEVELOPED AND TAUGHT
Graduate courses
Young People as Change Agents: Examining Youth Activism, Child Rights, and Student Voice
Issues in U.S. Education Policy
Education Policy and Politics
Academic Writing: Getting it Done and Doing it Well
Analysis of U.S. Policy
Civic Engagement and Democratic Practices in Schools
Theoretical Perspectives of School Change
Education Theory and Policy Pro-seminar
Undergraduate courses
Guide to Adulting: Improving Wellbeing For Self, Connections And Career
Education in American Society
American Education and Public Policy
Freshman Seminar in Educational Policy
Introduction to Education and Public Policy
Field Experiences in Education and Public Policy
Professional Development in Educational Policy
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Educational Research Association
Politics of Education Association
International Student Voice Research Consortium
Prevention Center, Penn State
University Council of Education Administrators
International Coaching Federation